Receptacle



Aug. 23', 1960 Filed Jan. 10. 1958 l f l J. c. wlLsoN RECEPTACLE 4Sheets-Sheet 1 AU8 23, 1960 I J. c. wlLsoN 2,950,039

' RECEPTACLE Filed Jan. 10. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ff's A/sm/ J.C.- WILSON Aug. 23, 1960 RECEPTACLE 0 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. l0,1958 INVENTOR.

RECEPTACLE .lames C. Wilson, Jacksonville, Fla., assigner, by mesneassignments, to Owens-Blinois Glass "Company, Toledo, hio, a corporationof Qlio Filed Jan. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 703,097

'6 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) The present invention relates to a receptacle.More particularly, the present invention relates -to a generally tubularreceptacle having a novel and closure arrangement.

Liquids, particularly those in the category of food products, forexample, molasses, soft drink concentrates, etc., are usually shipped incontainers fabricated of glass or metal. These materials, of course, areinherently quite expensive in and of themselves. In addition, their 'useentails considerable indirect expense, such as shipping costs due to theweight thereof, clerical help in keeping track of returns, and laborcosts in resterilization of the container formed thereof. The advent offlexible plastic film-like materials which are impenetratable by liquidssuggests that liquid food products could be satisfactorily containedtherein for a fraction of the cost associated with containers formed ofglass or metal. The use of such materials would provide a throw-awaycontainer for the product. Obviously, of course, these film-likematerials such as polyethylene, when lled with liquid, require an outerreceptacle for supporting the film-like bag and its contents. Corrugatedboard and solid fiber `board suggest themselves from an economical pointof VView as likely candidates for such an outer receptacle or shell.Unfortunately, however, up to the present time, there has not beenproduced a really satisfactory receptacle for this purpose. In brief, ithas been found Vthat receptacles of these materials have been lackinginLstrength, particularly when stacking is attempted. It has furtherbeen found that the top and bottom of such receptacles are particularlysubject to breakdown, so that injuries to the bag result, leading toloss of the contents.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asupporting receptacle for liquids contained in a bag or envelope fonnedof synthetic materials such as polyethylene, the vinyls, etc.

it is a particular object of this invention to provide such a receptaclewhich incorporates a novel end closure arrangement Which includesreinforcement and cushioning arrangements, and may, as well, provide fordispensing of the contents.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide such a receptaclewhich may be fabricated of relatively inexpensive materials, is ofrelatively simple-construction, and may be conveniently assembled.

These and other objects of this invention kwill become apparent to thoseskilled inthe art from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings, on which there ispresented for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments of thisinvention.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a sidefelevational view of the receptacle of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, but with theportion intermediate the ends thereof cut away.

Patented Aug. 23, 1969 fie Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to thatshown in Fig. 3, but illustrating another embodiment according to thisinvention.

Fig. 5 is a Vplan view of the yblank for forming the receptacle of Figs.1 to 3 of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank used in forming a partitioning memberincorporated into an end of the receptacle of Figs. l to 3 of thisinvention.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of a blank used in forming a receptacle embodyingyet another feature according to this invention.

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating an intermediate stage of the assembly ofthe blank shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a further stage in the assembly.

Fig. l0 is a sectional side elevational vi'ew taken on the line 1h-1t?of Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is a plan view of a blank for forming a par-titioning member inaccordance with a further embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. l2.

Fig. l2 is a sectional side elevational view o-f the bottom portion ofthe receptacle `according to the embodiment of Figs. 7-10.

Fig. 13 is a sectionalview taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. l2.

Basically, the present invention comprises a generally tubularreceptacle adapted to be formed of relatively stiff, sheet-likematerial, said receptacle defining in section a generally un-iformpolygon, a load-carrying parti* tioning member adapted to tit snuglywithin the receptacle at an end thereof, closure panels integrally apart of the principal tubular body, and ap extensions, foldably securedto said closure panels, adapted to form an internal bridge-like supportfor said partitioning member.

Referring now more specially to the drawings:

Attention should first be directed to Fig. 5, where there is shown ablank 11 for forming the principal tubular body member 10, shown inFigs. l and 2. The blank is composed of generally rectangular sidepanels 12, 13, 14, 1S, 16, and 17, arranged in side-by-side relationshipand foldably secured in a series in which the individual panels areseparated by score lines 18, serving as fold lines. A glue flap 19extends laterally from the panel 17, which flap may be, by adhesives orstaples, attached to the panel 12 in a customary manner to form thegeneral tubular receptable shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each end of the sidepanels 13 and 16 are provided ywith foldably secured trapezoidal panels20. These panels 20 may be folded into a plane normal to thelongitudinal axis of the tubular receptacle to thereby together span theotherwise open end of the receptacle. A flap extension 21 is foldablysecured to each of the trapezoidal panels 20, and is separated therefromby a fold line 22. When the receptacle is erected, these flap extensionswill project interially into the receptacle, as described more fullyhereinafter. Side wall panels 12, 14, 15, and 17 have foldably securedto each end, triangular tabs 23 and, in addition, contain at one endadjacent the base of the triangular tabs, circular holes 26. Thesecircular holes serve as linger holes for the one erecting the tubularreceptacle. The triangular tabs 23 are separated from the adjacenttrapezoidal panels by slots 24, .thereby permitting these triangulartabs to be independently folded in the manner desired. The free edges 25of all of the triangular tabs 23 are inset slightly with respect to onecorner of the side panel member to which they are secured for a purposeexplained more fully hereinafter in a discussion of the manner oferecting the receptacle.

In Fig. 6, there is shown a blank 31 for forming loadcarrying apartitioning member for the ends of the tubular receptacle. Thepartitioning member is composed of a central portion 32 which Vdefines ahexagon, thereby permitting it to iit snugly within the tubularreceptacle. Flaps 33 extend outwardly from each side of the hexagon 'andare foldable about score line 34. Four of the aps contain a circularaperture 35, as shown, each of which being positioned so as to registerwith the holes 26 in the -principal body member. It may be appreciatedthat two 'such partitioning Vmembers 31 may be utilized if it is4'desired to provide the feature of this invention at both ends of thetubular receptacle.

The receptacle of the invention is easily assembled, as follows: First,as indicated hereinbefore, the principal tubular receptacle is formed byoverlapping glue ap 19 over a portion of the side panel 12, Aandfastening it in a customary manner. A liquid-proof adhesive is desirablein connection with the liquid products which may possibly involve anycondensation and accompanying moisture.

Next, the partitioning member 31, with its flaps 33 folded inperpendicular relationship, is inserted into the end of the tubularreceptacle, flaps first, with the plane surface of the hexagonal portion32 facing the open end of the receptacle, and with the holes 26 and 35in registry. Next, the triangular tabs 23 of member 11 are folded overin a vposition normal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle.Finally, the trapezoidal panel members are folded over so :that thescore lines 22 almost contact each other, and the ap extensions 21 arepushed interially into the receptacle through the space between the freeedges 25 of the triangular tabs 23. This feature, with respect to thetriangular tabs, may be adjusted carefully so that there is defined avery narrow opening for the ap extensions 21. It may be seen, as shownin Fig. 3, that the free edge portions 2S of the triangular tabs 23approach each other, but do not quite contact each other. Mostdesirably, they do contact the inner surface of the flap extensions 21and help in preventing lateral deiiection of the ap extensions 21. Inerected form, the tlap portions 21 at one end of the tubularconstruction lie in iiush supporting contact with each other, and thefree ends thereof support the partitioning member 31 at the otherwisevulnerable central portion, thereby preventing sag. The flaps 33 of thepartitioning member Contact the side walls of the hexagon, and theirfree edges rest on the bases of the triangular tabs or the minor base ofthe trapezoidal closure panel, maintaining the partitioning member inspaced relationship. The partitioning member is inserted in such fashionthat the holes 35 in the flaps will register with the holes 26 in theside walls, thus permitting the one erecting the box to insert hisiingers therein to aid in the proper positioning of the flap extensions21. The partitioning member 31, in the above-described assembledposition, is thus adequately supported to function as the load-carryingbottom of the receptacle.

Another embodiment of a. receptacle according to this invention is shownin Fig. 4. In this View, a receptacle construction in a side elevationView reveals an additional flap extension 21a foldably secured to theflap extension 21. The ap extension 21a is folded to assume paralleljuxtaposed relationship with respect to the iiap extension 21. Thisfeature, in eiect, provides a double thickness leg extending in-to thereceptacle for additional support of the partitioning member 31. Whenthis embodiment is incorporated into a receptacle construction, theamount of inset of the free edges of the triangular tabs 23 is carefullyselected to provide just sufficient space for four thicknesses (two setsof the juxtaposed flap extensions 21 and 21a) of the wall, as generallyidentied by the numeral 41. This just-described feature, in conjunctionwith the finger holes discussed hereinbefore, permits the personerecting the receptacle to snap flap extension 21a into contactingrelationship withvthe flap 21 and within the space betweenthe free edgesof the triangular tabs 23 so that the receptacle will be more or lessself-locked against accidental opening. Thus, is maybe appreciated thatthe relatively stiff characteristic of the material ofconstruction-will, bythe jexpedient described, maintain\theFtrap1ezoidal panels 20 in closing relationship, as shown When oneend of the receptacle has been closed as discussed hereinbefore, thepolyethylene bag or envelope may be placed Within the receptacle, thecontents inserted therein, the other end of the bag heat-sealed orotherwise closed, and this end of the receptacle closed in the samefashion as discussed hereinbefore.

In another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a receptacleconstruction which includes a scheme having particular utility in thosesituations where it would be desirable to utilize the receptacle as adispenser of the liquid contents. Blanks slitted and scored so as toprovide the above feature are shown in Figs. 7 and l1. In Fig. 7, 4thereis shown a blank S0 composed of a linear series of rectangular panels51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, attached to each other and adapted to foldabout score line 57. Glue iiap 58 is foldably secured to panel 56 for asimilar purpose to that discussed in connection with the embodimentshown in Fig. 5. Panels 52 and 55 have depending therefrom, about a foldline S7, trapezoidal closure panels 59 and 60. A flapextension 59a isfoldably secured to panel 59, and, in turn, a flap extension 59b isfoldably secured to flap extension 59a. Flap extensions 60a and 60h aresimilarly secured to trapezoidal panel 60. The remaining sides, namely,51, 53, S4, and 56 have triangular tabs 61 foldably secured thereto atthe bottom. These are separated from the adjoining trapezoidal panel byslits 61a. There are iiaps and tabs foldably secured at the upper edgeof the blank 50, but, as these form no essential part of the presentembodiment, they Will not be discussed. Side panel 52 is provided with aslit 62 adjacent the attachment of trapezoidal closure panel 59. Thisslit defines a cult-out area serving as a swingable door 64 which isfoldably secured to the side panel 52 about fold line 63. Finger holes65 at the base of side panels 51, 53, 54, and 56 permit the personerecting the box to reach the interior.

One form of partitioning member which may be Very desirable inconnection with the present embodiment is shown in blank, knock-downform in Fig. 1l, and is identified by numeral 70. This blank contains ascore 72 enclosing a central panel 71 of polygonal conguration. Thepolygon as shown has twice as many sides as the receptacle which may beformed from the blank shown in Fig. 7. A number of tiaps 75 are foldablysecured to the periphery of the polygonal panel 71. Each of these isprovided with a score line 76 perpendicular -to a corner of the polygonand serves to lend foldability to the iiaps. The panel 71 is providedwith an aperture 74 adjacent an edge of the panel. The contour of theperipherally extending flaps is controlled so as to provide an opening77 in the ap continuity. 'I'he opening 77 is adjacent the aperture 74.Additional openings in the flap continuity are provided at 78, 79. Theseopenings are essentially V-shaped notches diametrically opposite to eachother. Finger holes 80 are provided in the flaps on either side i of theV-shaped notches 78 and 79. While the partie tioning member justdescribed is most desirable in accordance with this invention, asexplained hereinafter, i-t may be appreciated that for some purposes apartitioning member as shown in Fig. 6 may be used.

The erection of the receptacle according to this embodiment is shown insuccessive stages in Figs. 7, 8, 9, l0, and l2. Starting with the blank50, the panels 59 and 60 and triangular tabs 61 are folded about foldline 57 to a position normal to the remainder of the blank. Next, theside panels are folded about the score lines lseparating them as shownin Fig. 8, care being taken, however, that the triangular tabs 61overlie the trapezoidal panels 59 and 60. As the folding in this mannercontinues and the flap extensions 59h and 6019 approach each other, theflap extensions are folded about the score line separating panel 59 fromextension 59a, and panel 60 from extension 60a. This folding is carriedout so that the flap extensions project interially into the tubularreceptacle. When the side panels have been folded into a closed figureas shown in Fig. 9, the glue ap 58 may be attached to the side panel 51by gluing, staple, or other suitable arrangements. Next, the flapYextensions 59b and tb are folded about the score line separating them,respectively, from the extensions 59a and 60a so as to bend downwardlytoward the base described by the triangular tabs 61 and the trapezoidalclosure panel members 59 and 60. At this stage, the construction of thereceptacle is illustrated in Figs. 9 and l0.

The partitioning member 70 is now prepared for assembly by folding theflaps perpendicular to the plane of the panel 71, and this foldedassembly is pushed, ilaps first, down into the interior of the tubularconstruction with the aperture 74 adjacent the door 64 in the outerreceptacle, and the holes 80 and 65 in registry. The notches 78 and 79are carefully positioned so as to enclose the end portions of thebridging support formed by the liap extensions 59a, 59b, and 60a, 60b.This particular feature maintains the flap extensions 59b and 60h intheposition shown in Fig. 12, and prevents them from moving apart. Thus,the supporting function of the bridging assembly of Hap extensions is'insured against collapse. The arrangement of the flaps 75 of thepartition member to the side wall panels and to each other is best shownin Fig. 13. In particular, it will be noted that the fact that thepartitioning member in this embcdiment, being composed of twice as manysides as the sides of the outer receptacle, effects a slight bowingoutward of the side wall panels. Fold line 76 adds in this bowingoutwardly, as it lies in surface abutment with the side wall panel.

The receptacle according to the embodiment described above is of extremeutility for containing a iiexible, filmlike bag containing a liquid,which liquid is desirably dispensed in selected portions. Thus, a bag orenvelope of the foregoing type is frequently modiiied by incorporatingat the bottom end thereof a dispensing arrangement including a nippleand a length of liexible tubing. The bag or envelope as described, andcontaining any desirably dispensed liquid, may be positioned down intothe receptacle so as to rest on the partitioning member 70. The nippleat the bottom of the bag may be directed through the aperture 74 and thecoil of exible tubing stored in the chamber formed between thepartitioning member 70 and the closure panel members. The door 64provides ready access to the coil of tubing so that it may be withdrawnfor dispensing of the liquid. It may be pointed out that the receptacleaccording to this embodiment has been particularly designed so that thepartitioning member is not perfectly parallel with the bottom closurearrangement of the receptacle, but, in fact, is slanted downwardlytoward the edge containing the aperture 74. This' permits completedraining of the container. The size of the flaps 75 about the peripheryof the partitioning member may be selected to provide this feature toany desired degree.

It may be noted that the embodiment as shown in Fig. 13 is of particularutility for the use described. Thus, it may be appreciated that anappreciable head of liquid must be supported by the receptacle. Thishead will frequently tend to force the liquid and the bag down intospaces between the outer periphery of the partitioning member and theside walls of the outer shell. By forming the partitioning member tohave twice as many sides as the outer shell, the side panel members arebowed slightly outward against their natural inclination to spring back.Accordingly, such spaces are avoided, and the bags do not tend to slipdown and be pinched to breakage and loss of contents.

Very satisfactory receptacles in accordance with this invention havebeen formed from corrugated board. For providing the maximum in stackingstrength, the receptacles are formed with the direction of corrugationsof the board parallel with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle.Obviously, however, other sheet material having the characteristic ofbeing relatively stiff may be used advantageously in forming receptaclesaccording to this invention.

Furthermore, other modications may be resorted to by persons skilled inthe art. and it is not intended that this invention be limited to theembodiment illustrated and described, except 4as indicated by the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A tubular receptacle having a polygonal cross'- section being formedof relatively stiif, sheet-like material, said receptacle comprising amain body member comprising a linear series of foldably connected sidewall panels assembled into closed configuration; a partitioning memberadapted to fit snugly within said body member adjacent the lower endthereof, and said partitioning member being provided with an aperture;iiaps foldably secured to selected portions of the periphery of saidpartitioning member, said just-mentioned aps being constructed andarranged to define diametrically disposed notches; closure panel membersextending foldably from two opposed side wall panels in said series,said closure panels additively spanning said end to constitute a closuretherefor, and thereby forming a lower compartment beneath saidpartitioning member; a bridging support for said partitioning memberformed by a ap extension on each of said closure panel members, saidliap extensions being folded to project inwardly into said receptacle inface-to-face relationship and together supportingly contact saidpartitioning member, said bridging support having its end portionsspatially confined by said notches;` and means providing manual accessto the interior of said lower compartment.

2. The receptacle as claimed in claim l, wherein the dimension of liapsattached to said partitioning member varies whereby the saidpartitioning member is not normal to the longitudinal axis of saidreceptacle.

3. The receptacle as claimed in claim l, wherein the partitioning memberhas twice as many sides as said body member, whereby the side panels ofsaid body member are bowed slightly outwardly.

4. A tubular receptacle having a polygonal crosssection and being formedof relatively stiif, sheet-like material, said receptacle comprising amain body member comprising a linear s'eries of foldably connected sideWall panels assembled into closed configuration, one of said panelmembers having an opening adjacent an end thereof; a partitioning memberadapted to fit snugly Within said body member adjacent the ysaid end andbeing provided with an aperture adjacent said opening; flaps foldablysecured to selected portions of the periphery of said partitioningmember, said just-mentioned flaps being constructed and arranged todefine diametrically opposed notches; closure panel members extendingfoldably from two opposed side wall panels in said series, one of saidside wall panels being the same as" contains the said opening, saidclosure panels additively spanning said end to constitute a closuretherefor; and a bridging support for said partitioning member formed bya pair of relatively foldable ap extensions on each of said closurepanels, said aps on each of said closure panels projecting respectivelyupwardly to contact said partitioning member and then downwardly tocontact the closure, said bridging support describing an inverted V insection, and the end portions of said bridging support being enclosed bysaid notches.

5. The receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dimension of apsattached to said partitioning member variesl whereby the saidpartitioning member is not normal to the longitudinal axis of saidreceptacle.

6. The receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the partitioning memberhas twice as many sides as said body member whereby the side panels of`sa-id body member are UNITED STATES PATENTS Thoke Nov. 21, 1933 8 DaleyDec. 10, 1935 Walther Nov. 9, 1937 Simons June 2, 1942 Talbot Apr. 27,1943 Gardner Feb. 8, 1944 Crane Oct. 12, 1948

